The events I am about to report started two weeks ago. In an old dark house on top of a cliff on the west coast of Scotland. This singular structure is known as Driercliff House. Ali gathered for dinner were the seven members of the most extraordinary club called The Good Friends. In the midst of this unique encounter came the melancholy housekeeper, Ms. Monteith bringing a message for Ralph King, a retired lawyer. King received her casually. When they saw the content, the good comrades took the whole thing as a joke but his housekeeper was right, it was no laughing matter. The next night ... Ralph King died horribly But this was just the beginning. A few nights later while the good comrades met for a final toast in memory of the departing member ... Ms. Monteith came in with a second envelope. This time addressed to Stanley Raeburn. In his time a distinguished actor. This time, you can be sure there was no laughter. These men were scared and his fear was justified. For once again the message proved to be an omen of death. It was 10 days before Raeburn's battered body was found. Um, say Mr. Chalmers What do these envelopes contain? In the first case, seven orange seeds, or seeds. In the second case, six. And the number of orange seeds They refer to surviving members, a dark warning, do not you think, Holmes? It looks like murder. Not necessarily, Watson. A moment ago Did you refer to this club as extraordinary, why? All members are past middle age, retired and without relatives. Six months ago formed this club here in London and promptly departed for Driercliff, the ancestral home of a certain Mr. Bruce Alastair, its oldest member. there's nothing remarkable about it, sounds quite friendly as in reality. The remarkable fact is that all these seven men seem to have one point in common. Huh, well what is it? Elementary, my dear Watson Each one is worth much more dead than alive. That's right Mr. Holmes. How did you guess? My dear Mr. Chalmers, you represent the Association of Insurance Companies, Are you worried about premature deaths of these two good comrades. Soon these men must own insurance policies. Yes, but that's not all. Shortly after forming this club all seven men changed their policies making the other members their beneficiaries. The total policy are over a hundred thousand pounds. Oh, it's very enlightening. You paid the five surviving members about King and Raeburn's policies? Oh yes, we always pay immediately But what worries me, Mr. Holmes, is ... If these two deaths were accidental or not. Exactly. Of course I may be wrong, I have no proof but it seems to me to be only possible that one of these men He plans to murder the others one by one. And charge all the policies. I get it, Holmes. Bravo Watson but why the orange seeds? Ah, yes, the orange seeds. Seeds, Watson? piece of a jigsaw, is not it Holmes? Exact. Quite intriguing feature. There is a lot of smoke around this case. After all, Mr. Holmes, many lives may be at stake. The temptation of sudden wealth could ... could, could become one of those apparently innocent men In a ruthless killer. Exactly. Are those the good comrades? Yes. Let me see them Hi. Who is this man in the end? It's Dr. Merrivale. Doctor Simon Merrivale? I believe your baptismal name is Simon. Yes, definitely Dr. Simon Merrivale. I'll take your case, Mr. Chalmers. Watson pack his things We'll be out of Scotland later tonight. Scotland, home of my ancestors. A lonely but peaceful land. It's wonderful after suffocating London, is not it, Holmes? I say who is this Doctor Merrivale? Oh, well, if you want to continue to behave like an oyster, You have not said a word since we left London. Sorry mate, I was thinking. Twenty years ago Doctor Merrivale was a famous surgeon on Harley Street. Can not be so famous, I've never heard of it. Oh, but he was. the main reason that made him distinct, of course, was the brutal and unnecessary murder of a young bride. Seriously? However, he witnessed so brightly on the witness stand who was acquitted after that he fell completely into oblivion. And you think he is probably responsible by the death of these two good comrades? Well, I did not say he was but I say he could be. Murder is a treacherous thing, Watson. Once a man plunges his fingers into the blood sooner or later, he will feel the urge to kill again. Oh I feel very unpleasant. Funeral. Do you think we're far behind? Oh, I think their suspicions are unnecessary Watson. One of the villagers is not it? Yes sir. Mr. MacTavis the blacksmith. Now, daughter, do not talk to strangers. It was not her fault. I asked his daughter whose funeral was Andy MacTavis, if it was in the prime of life. What a pity. was young huh? Only seventy-two. Seventy two? Age flower, trying to be funny? Come on, Watson. seventy-two, flower of the age. I saw about forty men ... Can I help you, my lords? I telegraphed from London to make reservations. Name, sir? Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson your rooms are ready. Thank you. Sign up, gentlemen. Yes, certainly. Are you going to be gentlemen for a long time? No, not much. We just came here to watch ... We just came here for the hunt. Hunt? Yes partridge of course. We have no partridges here for at least forty years. Are there no partridges? Cheer up Watson. You will find some other reason to occupy our time. This way, gentlemen. Do you pick the gun? I carry the big bag. So you're back earlier than usual Doctor Merrivale. Sirs I just made a rather intriguing discovery. The village of Inverness has an illustrious visitor. Huh? Seriously? Who? Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Who? I did not quite understand the name. Sherlock Holmes. Oh. Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective. I wonder what he might be doing in Inverness. Forgotten Alastair that two of our members Have you ever met with violent deaths? Yes, yes, of course. Cosgrave, you have to move up and down like a monkey in a fucking cage I can not see what it's all about. Simpson, Cosgrave, Can not we behave like good comrades? Nothing can shake your nerves Alastair? Oh my God, no. I do not have nerves. Now tell me MacGregor, the current head of the house It's Mr. Bruce Alastair, is not it? Aye. Grandson of Donald Alastair. He was the most calm. He shot Driercliff House on a gangster day. If it exploded into pieces with a gun. Mercy. And Angus Alastair was his son. He was eaten by cannibals in the southern seas. Very unhappy this family, is not it Holmes? They found the bones of Angus They sent Driercliff back where no man ever goes it is his grave. The place is haunted. Haunted? You mean ghosts? Only oneFool believes in ghosts. Spirits never haunted Driercliff. Five minutes to the closing time gentlemen. Just the memory of evil. You are expected in Driercliff House sergeant. What was a woman? Murder. was Alastair himself? I do not know. Dr. Merrivale did not say. Mr. Holmes, would you mind coming along? Yes, I would, thank you. Watson. You mark my words, Alastair met the brutal death from parents. Awe, good evening, Sergeant. Oh Mr. Alastair, this is Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. I took the liberty of ... Mr. Holmes, Dr. Watson. How are you gentlemen? Oh, he's excellent, very excellent. Please, sirs. Please enter And welcome to Driercliff House. Now, where's the corpse? Follow me. It's the oven. The oven? Yes Poor Davis it was burned like a fry. Burned like a fry. I say Holmes This killer looks a little diabolical, does not he? At least he's consistent. Consistent? Yes, the killings all follow the legend of Driercliff. As well as MacGregor puts no man ever goes to his grave. Now you're going to get in here, gentlemen, is not it? Oh! Thank you. It's ok. It's ok. Yes. Yes. These gentlemen came to see the body. Why do not you take them to the basement? Oh, no, Dr. Merrivale, you found out, after all it is your body. that's right. I say, You're Sherlock Holmes, are not you? I am and this is my friend and colleague Doctor Watson. How are you? How are you, sir? Yes, I thought I recognized you. You know I've been following your exploits for years. Detecting crimes is one of my hobbies. This is a surprise and a pleasure. A pleasure I hope but hardly a surprise. You saw me at the inn this afternoon. Touché This is Allen Cosgrave and Captain Simpson. How are you? This is a stressful business Mr. Holmes, we all liked Guy Davis. Davis? Oh the guy in the furnace. But if it was burned like a fry How do you know it was Davis? Well, he's the one who's missing. Also, we identified him by his cufflinks. Why do not you see for yourself? Come on gentlemen. Thank you. I can ask Doctor Merrivale if Mr. Davis also received the warning of the orange seeds after dinner. Oh, so you know about others? You seem to be very well informed about our affairs, Mr. Holmes. By the way Davis did not have dinner with us tonight. Did he indicate the reason for his absence? No, no, he did not. Mrs. Monteith was quite irritated by this. Forgive me, gentlemen? Doctor Watson, What is Mr. Holmes doing? I have no idea. Go ahead. You will find out, my dear sir, on the right time. There's nothing that Would you like to tell me Mrs. Monteith? I sir? Yes. Please give it to me. The envelope addressed to Mr. Guy Davis. Thank you. Five seeds this time. How did you know you were with her? It's obvious my dear Watson, since Mr. Davis was not at dinner, Ms. Monteith did not have the opportunity to deliver the envelope. Yeah, sure, pretty obvious. Where did you find him? He was pushed under the door like the others. Thank you Mrs. Monteith, that's all. Where are they coming from, Mr. Holmes? Who is sending these things to us? Is there anyone who might have a grudge against you? the orange seeds means something for any of you? Good? I remember reading somewhere that among an obscure tribe of savages orange seeds were seen ... as a symbol of death. Oh true? Sergeant? Yes sir. I think I'd better call Scotland Yard. We've never had a phone in Driercliff House does. They are so noisy. I can make the call in the village, sir. It's all right. It is not always that we have the opportunity to meet such lovely people. Go ahead I'll follow you. I'm afraid, Mr. Holmes, that if you do not go with the sergeant there will be no other way back to the village tonight. Oh but, Mr. Holmes, there is no need for you to stay at the inn. It's such a sad place. We have lots of space here and is much more joyful. I thought we were here for privacy. We would not even dream of putting it out. Oh, but I thought it would be So good to have such, such interesting people as our guests. Yes, it's your right. I am sure that Mr. Holmes's business in the village are much more important, Alastair. Please Mr. Holmes we insist. I think the idea of Alastair is excellent, Do not you gentlemen? You speak for yourself, Cosgrave. Come on, come on, come on, We are all friends. We are, or are not we? Guy Davis was a friend too. as well as King and Raeburn. You have to stay Mr. Holmes. You and Doctor Watson, we can accommodate them Any objections to Dr. Merrivale? this is a storm in a glass of water Mr. Holmes but you're welcome of course. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm a bit tired. Good night. What do you say Simpson? Glad to be with you gentlemen, of course. So will you both stay? Thank you Mr. Alastair we are happy too. sergeant, you could arrange to have our things be sent from the inn? Immediately sir. This is excellent. I'm going to ask Mrs. Monteith to leave her rooms ready. Mr. Holmes, I must say that I feel much safer now that you and Doctor Watson are in the house. Oh, it's a pleasure to be of some use, Mr. Cosgrave. And well, if you take care to keep me posted if you find out anything I would be too happy to help you. I would do anything to get to the grip of this terrible mystery. I'll keep that in mind, Mr. Cosgrave. Thank you. Good night. Good night. Good night. Well, what are you going to do Watson? Well, my theory is Doctor Merrivale. Did you take a look in her eyes? Is not that scary enough? Yes but this could be counted such as advanced myopia, complicated by a stigma. Well do you think it is? At the moment I suspect nobody and of all. then it is his theory that Dr. Merrivale is the killer? Yes, yes Merrivale. Hum. And about ... What about Captain Simpson? Simpson? I see what you mean? Is that you? Yes. There is a grumpy look I doubt I have ever seen one. He did not like it very much about how we stayed here. You're right Watson. Do you suspect anyone else? Well, of course, there's old Alastair. And what makes you suspect Alastair? He's too good to be true. What are you looking for right now Holmes? I wish I knew Watson. Someone has a morbid taste for literature. Or a thirst for knowledge. Now Holmes has one of them What has got nothing to do with it? Who? Cosgrave. Why Cosgrave? Well, it definitely is winding. He begged us enough to stay. Yes, I would reply to Cosgrave that's fine. Mrs. Monteith will go down directly to show their rooms. I just showed up to say good night. Oh! Thank you. I'm sure you'll sleep well. Oh, by the way, Mr. Alastair, I wonder if you could tell us which one of you suggested change your insurance policies doing dthe other members of your club the beneficiaries? Awe let me see now. Oh, yes, of course, it was old and dear Allen. Allen? Allen Cosgrave. Good night. Good night. Cosgrave! I suspected him from the start. Yes, you did not know? How about a pinch before going to bed? To sleep? I will not be able to close my eyes in this sinister house. Your rooms are ready gentlemen. Where is our good friend Dr. Watson? Oh he was pretty tired last night, he's still sleeping. Yes, our beds are very comfortable here. Why do not you stop this damn walk? Your bodyguard is here now. Simpson, you should not cause Cosgrave. Remember how sensitive he is. You should ignore such things, Alastair. Thank you. Oh, Singapore? Huh? Oh the Cobra. No, you never know which one is or another. Oh yes, yes, very good is definitely Singapore. You're right Mr. Holmes. You know how to recognize tattoos very well. I'm interested in many things. Good morning, gentlemen I'm sorry I'm late I did not sleep very well. Did not you sleep well? You snored like a pig. silly Have a match, Doctor Watson? Yes. That's a very good idea. I think I'll go with them. Nothing like the first pipe in the morning. Can I, can I try on any of you? Sorry for this, I think I'll stay out. What is algae? Havana is not it? Flavored with Jamaican Rum. I can not imagine your worry with tobacco borrowers is not Simpson? No one else here touches the filthy things. I do not blame them. God in heaven! One moment please. What is it? Just a needle. Who put that in my chair? Hum. This is not a common needle. The stain on my scarf suggest a certain sinister possibility. Give me that glass? Yes of course. We'll see. Thank you. As I thought, insoluble in alcohol. What will this be? Well judging by the stain on my scarf and the milky precipitation in alcohol I must say that it is a derivative of the tropizine family. Possibly Paratropizine? That's right, Doctor Merrivale, a deadly poison. passed by Captain Simpson. A drop in the bloodstream brings dying almost instantaneous death. It's our custom at this time to honor our deceased friends. I hope you forgive us? We fully understand Doctor Merrivale, Please proceed. Thank you. Good Partners, our dear friend Guy Davis He set out for his rest. That those of us who remain drink to our dead and for the bright tomorrow when are we going to meet in a better, and happier world. Wait a minute, there's something wrong here If you'll let me, Captain Simpson. The smell of bitter almonds Bitter almonds, acid huh? Acid? There must be a mistake. mistake? Lucky I did not drink it Well what do you have to say? Any of you who tried to kill me be more careful. I'm a dangerous man. Make no mistake about it. Would not it be better to suspend? I want to say that ... Not finished yet toast our dead. But do you think it is safe enough? Do not be absurd Alastair. Take my glass. I assure you it is not poisoned. Thank you. Thank you Dr. Merrivale. To our deceased comrades. For me? Aye Mr. Cosgrave, say it on the envelope. here it is. You found this envelope like the others? Aye. When? He was pushed under the door when everyone was here for dinner. Thank you. Well, there's one thing we can be sure of, none ofwe could have brought it. How do we know she's not responsible for them? Mrs. Monteith? It's absurd Cosgrave, completely absurd. She's been with my family all her life. a dubious recommendation if you ask me. Mr. Holmes, when you wait the man from Scotland Yard? Inspector Lestrade? He should be here early in the morning. Unless he got the wrong train. I believe you're right Mr. Holmes. I believe you are right. Oh my dear, he's very upset. Doctor Merrivale, can not you do something for him? I can keep him in his room tonight. I think it's a great idea and I'll just be on the other side of his hall. I think it's the wisest possible, because with the lords protecting each other What harm can happen? Well, then we should expect the best. Come on, Merrivale. Good night sir. Good night. Good night. Tell Holmes, have you lost your mind? Cosgrave picked up the orange seeds and you're allowing Merrivale sleeping in the same room with him. He'll be fine. All right? But what prevents Merrivale to kill you in your sleep? I do not think he's going to push the lace on his own neck. Well, I see what you mean. Well, the ways are narrowing, Holmes. Captain Simpson is certainly innocent. As? Yes, it is definitely eliminated. The killer made two attempts on him today. Nonsense, my dear Watson. No one tried to assassinate Captain Simpson. Well, what about the poisoned needle we both saw? Captain Simpson has detected it, if you remember, About where you are. Oh what's so extraordinary about this? Can you see the needle there now? No. Well, there is one. funny. How did it get there? I put it there just before we go to supper. You can not see her yet you have exceptional vision. Well, you would have to have telescopic eyes to see her from there. Exactly. It means that Simpson ... well and about the acid in your drink? There was no acid in his drink. Well, it definitely smelled like bitter almonds. and should. because it is exactly what it was, bitter almonds. How do you know? Because I put it in your drink Did you do it? Great Scott why? To watch your reaction. It was quite different from that in the morning. in the first one was acting, in the second genuine terror. So I knew he, no doubt, he planted the needle in place. Well, why should I? Well, there are several possible explanations, the most obvious, of course, to deflect any suspicion. And you think Simpson is behind all this? I do not know Watson. This is a more unique case. Instead of very few we have many tracks and many suspects. The main pattern in the puzzle appears to be forming but the parts do not fit inside Well, it seems perfectly clear to me. One of these men is eliminating the others, one by one to get all your insurance money for yourself. Why is it obvious. How do you explain the orange seeds? Well, this man has an accomplice which brings them. For what? To warn the victim that he's going to be murdered? No Watson, he would not do it, he would not do anything. I do not like the look of him Holmes, muddy waters huh? very muddy as if someone was constantly stirring it. Why are they being warned? This confuses me. There is intelligence behind this Watson deal. Cold, calculating, ruthless intelligence. Did you smoke that filthy thing? It smells like an old sock. strong tobacco keeps the vigil. It's better to have a full pipe. We'll have a long vigil ahead tonight. No thank you. I do not need any smelly aroma to keep me awake in this chamber of ... in this chamber of horrors. He's still sleeping, Mr. Holmes. Thank you for your vigilance. Holmes! Holmes! Holmes! Holmes! Holmes! Holmes! Watson! Watson, are you okay? I think so. It was a triz. What happened? I did not see right I was sleeping. Someone came up to me from behind. Inspector Lestrade might come here. Thank you, good lady. Well, well, Mr. Holmes. Doctor Watson. How are you Lestrade? Here, here, what's going on here? Someone tried to kill Doctor Watson. Wow who? When we find out, Lestrade, we can all go home. Very well, Mr. Holmes, Scotland Yard will take care of that. I could take a quick look around the grounds, would I? Yes, Inspector. Mr. Holmes I'm afraid something happened with Cosgrave and Merrivale. What? The door to your rooms is locked. They do not respond. What's going on here? Well, I hope they're all right. Did you bring your master key, Lestrade? Yes, I did. One minute. Here we are. Watson! Lestrade, give me a hand. Yes, Mr. Holmes. Put him on the bed. Yes. What a terrible thing to happen. Oh poor Merrivale. Is he very hurt? Yes, he has a horrible crack in the head. What? Calm down, doctor. Do not try to talk. Mrs. Monteith take a cotton and a bit of hot water as fast as you can. Tell me what happened? He is not in a position to be interrogated now, Lestrade. Who do you suspect Mr. Holmes? I do not know Lestrade but is connected with the attack on Dr. Watson. It was obviously meant to get me down. Where is Cosgrave? Here, I'm assuming from now on. It seems to me that this Cosgrave, or whoever he is, is the killer. Well, he did not kill Doctor Merrivale. He is still alive. Yes. Yes he's alive is not he? Well, anyway I would like to make this Cosgrave some questions. I do not think you'll meet Mr. Cosgrave, at least not alive. What's going on here? I'm afraid Holmes is right, Inspector. Poor Cosgrave, at that time he was probably murdered like the others. Murdered? Oh God. What is your interest in this rope, Mr. Holmes? I was watching this knot, Lestrade is a bolina, much appreciated by men of the sea. sailors? Simpson. Simpson? Captain Simpson. But, but now, now, now could not be. How do you know it could not be? Mr. Alastair, where's Captain Simpson? He's not in his room either. I looked when I tried to wake up Cosgrave and Merrivale. Has anyone seen this Simpson this morning? I saw him walking through the garden, Inspector, about fifteen minutes ago. Now we're getting somewhere. Whats the way? How did I get here? "suffering cats" what's going on here? Do you have explosives here? Yes, we have some dynamite stored in the shed behind the stone room. What do you need dynamite for? Only to blow up some inconvenient stones. quite mutilated Holmes? I can not tell who it is. It's Cosgrave for sure. Poor Allen. Cosgrave I presume? It certainly looks like the ring he wore. Yes, yes, I'm right. Look here. What he was doing with dynamite at this time in the morning? That we'll never know. Oh god and it was all my fault. I should never have allowed it to be stored here. Do not blame yourself Mr. Alastair, Your body was loaded here, look. Look at these heavy footprints. Yes I see the whole thing. Cosgrave went unconsciously, flung into the shed and deliberately exploded. Yes. This fellow was carrying a very heavy burden. Hi, who are you? My name is Simpson, Captain Simpson. I'm Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard. What do you know about murder? Well, I was walking on the east terrace when I saw Cosgrave Enter the shed where the dynamite was stored. Would you mind comparing your shoe with one of these impressions? Are you accusing me, Inspector? I'll tell you in a minute. Put your foot on one of these prints. Nonsense, Lestrade. just look at the shoes of everyone present we realize that these footprints are too large to have been made by anyone here. With the possible exception of you Lestrade. Look, Doctor Watson, this is not funny. Captain Simpson, How did you happen to be walking on the terrace at the time of the explosion? I could not sleep and went for a walk before breakfast. I understand. What do you know about this knot captain? It's a prank of course. I do not suppose you've seen this before. Where the hell do you want to go? This knot is evidence that will stop a killer, and he should not be so far away of the arms of the law in this exact moment. Oh come on, Lestrade. This knot proves absolutely nothing. Just about anyone can do it. You can? Yes, I think I can, Lestrade. There you are. Well we have a pretty complicated problem, right? With your permission gentlemen Captain Simpson and I we'll arrange the arrangements for the funeral of our friend. Come on Simpson. I wonder which of the three remaining Good Companions will be the next to receive the orange seeds. orange seeds Can someone please tell me what's going on here? Where is the woman with the brandy? Mrs. Monteith? Right there you are, it takes too long. Let's continue with the ceremony. What are you going to do about this inspector? What will you do? Orange seeds, huh? The police will handle this. Let's protect him. Holmes tried to protect Cosgrave, he's dead. Scotland Yard is in charge now only you come with me One moment, Simpson. We still have not given our usual toast to the dead. To the devil with the dead. From now on I will take care of myself. Only you come with me captain. tell Holmes what do you think? Shh. Oh, you're the inspector. My nerves are on edge. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay, captain. Are you sure I'm safe here? Safe as a Bank of England. It is protected from all angles. On the terrace is Sergeant Bleeker, out of sight, but watch out every second. While in the thicket is the local police sergeant, ready to attack if the guy comes by. All right, Inspector. While I I keep the lower hall, waiting and praying for the killer to come my way. Let's go. It seems very thorough, but I'm not liking it very much. Oh, cover yourself and rest Scotland Yard will take care of the rest. Good night. Good evening, Inspector. All right, raise your hands. Oh well Mr. Holmes. Ready for your vigil Lestrade? What do you know about my vigil? My dear friend You had a very secret conversation with Captain Simpson and then pulled him out of bed. Follow it as the day You must be setting a trap. Where did you find those boots? In the closet. I've been looking for them all day. Curiously they were not there an hour ago. Were not they? These shoes are big enough for those footprints that we saw this morning. You're right inspector and watch the clay. A very particular variety of clay. Holmes ready? Yes Watson. I would like to join us in a little walk on the beach? oh no thank you. You and Doctor Watson can go play in the sand as much as they want but I'll stay here to catch the killer. Good luck. Well, if you get nervous you know where we are. Look at Watson's footprints! And they're pretty cool yet. Very fresh. Gandes feet, right? Are you with your revolver? Yes. We do not have much time to lose, the tide is rising fast. See here. Wait a minute. Now he stops to light his pipe. Notice spilled tobacco and burnt phosphorus, now it follows again. Wait a minute here we are. Hi. What is Holmes? Another set of footprints. Big feet are being accompanied by someone. This is a smaller man. Now they go together, side by side. Now, more slowly I would say judging by the spacing of the footprints. Now the small foot climbs the cliff and big foot remains alone. Hi. Something funny over there. the footprints disappear all together. Watch out Watson! Great trap Holmes was meant for us. Precisely. Well there is nothing else to be done here. I have a strong feeling which we needed back at Driercliff House. With the possible exception of you Lestrade himself. Heck they're bigger. On here! On here! Who's playing the lock? Sergeant Bleeker! Bleeker! Sergeant Bleeker! Sergeant Bleeker! ... Well, Mr. Holmes. Where is Simpson? He's on the ... he is gone. I left it right here on the couch. What happened? Someone hit my head Did you see his face? Who? The Assassin Your Talking Idiot, the murderer and his victim Captain Simpson. All I saw were stars. It is his theory Lestrade, that someone passed through this window and kidnapped Captain Simpson? It's not theory, of course. So how do you explain the fact that there is no broken glass sign on this side of the window? Hell, no, there is not. So the window was broken from the inside. leave us with my old man, We'll do an investigation beyond yours. I say what happened? Captain Simpson seems to have disappeared. He disappeared on foot. He ran-away. He really was scared, you know? That's exactly what he wanted us to think. Nothing could happen to him here if he had stayed and he knew it. I was right in the first instance, he's our fucking killer. My goodness, Captain Simpson a killer? Do not worry Mr. Alastair, we'll soon have him in jail before he can kill anyone else. Aye. You will find him like the others, a corpse. do not worry gentlemen it's just a matter of time before we captured Captain Simpson. He could not have gone far. My men will soon arrest him. You know that reminds me a lot of a very similar case which I led on the doom of the notorious Professor Moriarty. Did you lead him? If it had not been for Mr. Holmes. Oh well clear with the aid of Mr. Sherlock Holmes. We found him inspector. Did you see what I said? Where is he? on the beach sir. Dead? Oh yes sir, exactly. Dead? How did you know he was killed, Mr. Holmes? Elementary, my dear Lestrade. The pieces of the puzzle are beginning to fit together. In what way was the body mutilated? No arms, no legs and no head, sir Notice the occurrence of the Watson pattern? I see. No man goes whole to the grave, eh? Exactly. Oh God. Poor Simpson. Well, if there is nothing just a cool trunk How is itYou know you're the right man? Very simple Lestrade. Sergeant Bleeker identified the body by the ship's sails tattooed on the chest. That's right Mr. Holmes. Tattooed? how did you know he had a boat flashing in your epidermis? Oh, I mentioned that to Sergeant Bleeker when he asked me to describe a fugitive. was what we thought of at the time that he was a fugitive. Oh. All right Bleeker You better get back to the beach. Yes sir. One more thing Sergeant, you said that the body had no arms, without head and without legs, Was it a dirty job? Oh no, sir, very clean I must say, clean as a whistle. As if it had been done by the ... hands of a surgeon? Yes. Yes. For Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard. What? But ... Excuse me, inspector. Please, Watson. Thank you. I'm sorry, old fellow. No orange seed. Here only one minute which may be police matter. Inspector Lestrade, I must see him at once on the mystery of Driercliff. Please come to my store in the village as soon as possible. Alex MacGregor. MacGregor, the tobacco man. Where is your store? Next to the inn. Well, I had better go. Do you mind if I go along with you? Very well Mr. Holmes, if you think it might be of some help. I think I should go along with Holmes as well. No Watson you stay here. These are the last two members of Good Officers, your safety depends on you. you can trust me Holmes. Could you pass the wine? I'm sorry please. Excuse me. I was afraid of it. that it was too late. Dead? Yes sir. They hit the tempo. How did you know it was too late, Mr. Holmes? Because we were not the first to read MacGregor's message. What? Look here Lestrade. This envelope was carefully opened and closed again. Holy shit. Poor thing, he must know too much. Is there a coroner here Sergeant? He's on his way, sir. It's all right. You will not find them. What you mean? the orange seeds. Why not? Is not this the work of Driercliff's killer? Obviously but this is not part of the same pattern like the others. They follow a pre-conceived plan, where this murder was triggered by some need which could not be anticipated. starting Mr.Holmes again in English. I mean I'm beginning to see the light of day. Well, honestly, I do not. I like good, solid tracks and people I can question. Has anyone heard the shot sergeant? I listened. You know something about the message his father sent to Inspector Lestrade? Well, no sir. Did he leave the house in order tonight? Yes sir. He left to change his lobster cages there in the cauldron in Driercliff. He did not come back before dark. Here, let me interrogate you. Someone called your dad tonight after he got home? No one I saw, sir. Well tell me just what happened. I was in the kitchen when I heard the shot. I ran and and found my father ... I'm sorry, my dear. We will not bother you any more. Thank you sir. This case gets more confusing by the minute. We do not know anything else now than we knew before. On the contrary, my dear Lestrade. MacGregor saw something in Driercliff tonight and this something caused his death. That's right. You better get back to that house as fast as we can. I'll be happy to return to Baker Street. Someone will be murdered if we are not careful. Merrivale? Are you there? Empty. That's really funny. Can not have left on a night cHow are you? Alastair? Mr. Alastair? gone. Mr. Alastair? Mr. Alastair? Open it. Funny. Both disappeared. Very suspicious. broken mirror . it's done. Seven years of bad luck. What is it? Mrs. Monteith! Mrs. Monteith! Where is that woman? Nothing like being prepared ... Who's out there? closed! Mrs. Monteith! Mrs. Monteith! They left the door open. The door I closed. Someone moved the chair. Stop or I'll shoot! You're moving, I warned. well done to you. Stay still. Excuse me. All in fulfillment of duty. Who's there? Watson, what are you doing? Holmes, thanks to the skies you've come, right in time. They are all around the house. They left me completely surrounded. They? There they are. Great Scott! I'm so ashamed. We gave so much back for nothing. Oh, yes, I forgot, there was something. Alastair and Merrivale are both absent. What? Oh no, not dead. Well, they are not there in their rooms. Come with me and I'll show you. Is something wrong, sirs? Did you leave the room after you laid down? Certainly not. I was reading. What? What is the problem? There's no problem. Please forgive us. Well, now let's try Alastair's room. You're right. Better try to hit this time, Watson. In between. What's? Were you outside Mr. Alastair's room? Yes only for a few minutes I went down to the kitchen and I had a good glass of milk. milk? Yes, it was very refreshing. Glass of milk. Do not disturb it. Glass of milk? He's lying to Holmes. Probably just one more of your accesses Doctor ... foolishness, and the word is hallucinations. Wherever they were were surrounding him below. Mrs. Monteith is right. I heard noises from upstairs. I thought the killer might be lurking again. What are you doing with the cleaver? You have nothing to fear now. Well, I'm going back to bed. It's not a bad idea. I had enough of that for one day. Oh, uh, Mrs. Monteith, please. The message you gave to Inspector Lestrade, was pushed under the door like the others? Aye. something happened Different this time? Think Mrs. Monteith. Well ... Yes? Just before finding the message under the door happened to me look through the kitchen window and I saw a man running away from the house, as if Satan himself were after him. Did you recognize him? No. He was far away but he was dressed like a fisherman. it would not be better to return to the village and meet him at once Holmes? You'd just be wasting your time. Because? Because all fishermen already departed with the fleet and they will not be back see you tomorrow night. It's past nine now. Are you sure? that the fishermen are coming here? Yes sir, they always do. a long period in the water give them a great thirst. That's why the boats should come Here they come, sir. Gentlemen! Gentlemen! I'm Sherlock Holmes. on the last night MacGregor sent one of you with a message to Driercliff House. Who was? Please speak, is vitally important. If I took a message to old Alex and what? Maybe you can help me find your killer. Where did he give you that? There in the cove. He was waiting there when we came back from the fishery. What did he say when he gave it to you? Well, he just asked me if I could take it to Driercliff for half a pound and I would not have done it for a cent a menthe. because of the sinister legend of the place, eh? What else did MacGregor say to you? Well, he asked me if I believed in ghosts and I said sure no. And he did not say anything else and gave me the message and half a pound. Thank you my friend, you were very helpful. a round of drinks for these gentlemen with my compliments. Thank you. Watson. Useful? I can not see anything very useful in that conversation. All he did was talk about ghosts. And what the ghosts suggest you Watson? I do not know, cemeteries? Exactly. Alec MacGregor was buried today. I tell you old mate How about giving me a hand? You're doing splendidly Watson. I would say Holmes, I never trusted in any of these people from the beginning. Who Who? The so-called good comrades and that woman. Who Mrs. Monteith of course Who do you think I meant? old fellow, where are you? Who You Holmes, of course. Who Oh. Having a little talk, Watson? Oh there you are. yes with that stupid Bird. foolish bird hung over a graveyard all night. Nothing more to do. Interrupting the conversation between colleagues. I found Holmes. Help me now. I do not like this Holmes. Surprising Holmes. As I thought, empty. body robbers were here before us. MacGregor's corpse was removed. What? run Watson. Come, mate, we do not have a minute to lose. What's wrong, Holmes? Unless I'm very much mistaken Another murder is about to happen. Who You, you glass-eyed idiot if you do not shut up. Who, who You know what to do? Yes sir. Let's go and hurry. I'm afraid I'm late for Watson. Where is Lestrade's body? Who ? Doctor Merrivale. I found it at the bottom of the cliff. Crushed like a jelly by a huge rock. God in heaven. I identified by the set of clothes he wore and your watch. So Alastair must be the killer? You're getting close to the track, Doctor Watson. He killed them all one after another for insurance money. I thought so. Obvious from the beginning. What have you done to your prisoner inspector? Oh he's safe enough. Sure enough? Yes, he's in the library. Maybe I should go and keep an eye on him. Oh you're right Doctor He's handcuffed. Everyone walking up and down. Just do a bit of comparing Lestrade. Why do not you care about Mr. Holmes, you can not expect to solve every case. Awe, there you are. I suspected you from the start. He told Holmes that old appearance seems too good to be true. But I did not kill anyone. I really did not. It is very natural for you to deny your guilt. Criminal Instinct. What? Anything. Do you have any tobacco with you? No. I do not smoke, but Simpson's tobacco is there. He will not need it any more. Poor Simpson. Well, if Holmes can smoke the beastly stuff I suppose I can. This is funny. This may be important. I must tell you Holmes at once. my God. Twenty-eight feet beats exactly. Whatever that may mean. This means that the final piece of the puzzle is falling into place. Oh, you can have your puzzle I have the killer. Holmes? Come on Lestrade. Where's Doctor Watson? Oh he went through that door just a few moments ago looking for you. We heard a scream, did not we? Oh, my God, no. This is weird. We did not see him so we walked through the middle of the dining room. Did he say anything before he left? Yes. He was not very kind to me in the first place. He was standing there where you are Mr. Holmes. He asked me if I had any tobacco but as you know I do not smoke. And I suggested that he could pick up some of Captain Simpson. Well, he took the pipe and was about to fill it when he said: Oh that may be important. I need to see Holmes right now. Thank you, Mr. Alastair. And you do not move. These walls measure 28 feet from the outside and of course obviously several meters less. Oh what are you looking for? The entrance to a passage. What passage? It can only be on that wall outside. Oh we could knock the wall down for you Mr. Holmes. What you do not notice Lestrade, is that they are desperate. They do not stop for anything and they have Doctor Watson. They, who are they? Can you get those candles? It's all right. What are you doing here? I do not like being alone. Found it. Good God. This leads to the entrance to the stairs leading to the old smuggler's cave below. I forgot I was there. bring the light Oh God. Damn it! slowly or they will hear us. Who are they? See for yourself Lestrade. Lord (unintelligible) Well, what a low blow. All right, everyone, hands up, You are trapped. But who's in there? The Good Companions. Oh no, no. They are dead. They are? Let's all lined up now. I thought you were all dead. That's what they wanted us to think. Watson! Raeburn, King, Davies, Cosgrave, Merrivale, Simpson, how terrible. Thank God you're safe Watson. Well thank God you came Holmes. another minute and they would have thrown me into the sea and fled in a boat chartered by Simpson. It's out there now. Congratulations, Lestrade. You got the lot. That's right Mr. Holmes. And I can congratulate you by this very ingenious plan. I confess that if you had not been too embellished the orange seed business this sinister meaning of Driercliff House events
could have completely escaped my attention. quite eloquent Mr. Holmes. What if Captain Simpson had not taken the tobacco from the library you could have gotten away. By the way, Lestrade, I think you'll find with each of these gentlemen your share of insurance money probably in a well stuffed money belt. Foolish Simpson. I said someone would notice that pot of tobacco. Fool me? Who asked this detective to stay in the house? He did it. I realized the way you and Merrivale were acting. Shut up Cosgrave. Do not tell me to shut up. You and your orange seeds. You said they would not suspect but it is not? No. You and your orange seeds got us. Alright, alright, Come back to the line, all of you. Let's go now. You guys go back to the line. Now, then, get your hands off that money. Here, here, here without any more tricks like that. If they were not Mr Holmes's sharp eyes here you could ... You could have shot somebody else. And I thought you were my friends. These good friends. How can you? No matter, my good man, You'll soon be in the trash with the rest of them. No, Lestrade, Mr. Alastair is completely innocent. They selected him as their plaything. Oh. it's all clear to me, Holmes except one thing, Why did they kill MacGregor? Because MacGregor did not believe in ghosts. One night at the beach he saw a man whoand he thought he was dead, probably our friend's big foot and was very reckless while writing a message to Lestrade about it. That message was his death sentence. Very good your theory Mr. Holmes but you can not prove anything. there is something that is not yet clear. Lestrade you can catch Captain Simpson's revolver and take a look at it? A bullet fired? Mr. Holmes is right. I have no doubt that the ballistics will prove that the missing bullet killed Alex MacGregor. That's enough for me. If what you say is true Mr. Holmes there is no jury in the country that does not condemn them. And so a fair return fell on the six members of Good Officers, whose nefarious plan was unmasked at the time. For the brilliant work of detective of Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard. How much nonsense, Lestrade had no idea of what was happening. I do not know Watson. After all, we know who is responsible for solving the mystery of good comrades. That's right. Had it not been for Mr. Holmes this title can also be given to me. Mr. Holmes, something intrigues me. What? How did they get those fake murders? Oh elementary my dear Charles, elemental. I can explain all this. Whenever there was a funeral of some old friend in the neighborhood they dug up the body and dressed him in his clothes of one of its members, so they staged a fake death and maimed the body beyond any recognition. Meanwhile, the so-called corpse disappeared silently into the drug dealer's cave under Driercliff House. I think ... I think that sums up the whole thing. Tell me Doctor Watson, In the simulated death of Captain Simpson how do you explain the fact tattoo on the trunk? Tattoo on the trunk ... well I ... Go ahead Watson, tell him. Well, the tattoo ... well the tattoo on the trunk ... Sorry Holmes. Captain Simpson was a specialist with a tattoo needle. He simply doubled the ship's sail in the chest of the poor corpse. I also noticed that the drawing on the trunk had been made in the last 24 hours. my God. What a horrible idea. as gratitude for what you did on behalf of the companies I represent We would like you to accept this check. No Mr. Chalmers, I think Mr. Alastair here is much more deserving Of a reward than me. by God they deceived me completely. I did not help him solve the case. No, but you did much more than that. It was his timely warning when you caught our attention to the empty tobacco flask and saved the life of my dear friend and colleague, Dr. John H. Watson. That's very good of you, old man. And for allowing us to continue our long and happy together.
